newbie winter questions

[DBond]

A few things I'm wondering about as the temps are getting cold...



I understand that the fuel at the pump at some point will change over to "winter blend" of #2 and #1. About when does this happen, and do they indicate what you are getting?



What do I need to be more concerned with; the cloud point or the pour point of the fuel? It seems that as long as the fuel is above the pour temp, it can be pumped to the filter, and the filter heater will warm it, possibly over the cloud temp?



A "winter cover" over the front / radiator, at what temps should this be considered and should a certain amount of area remain open for some airflow?

 

[DPKetchum]

Where to you live??? Your info is not listed. Most places you do nothing or you may plug in. I rarly do here in Georgia even in the teens.

 

[BNH4221]

DBond,



Don't know when the oil companies switch blends but you will know it when your mileage goes into the crapper. I average 18 mpg in summer and about 15 when using winter blend.



I use the winter cover when temps average under 40 degrees or so. In the fall the temps during the day go up to 60 or so but I never have a problem. Leave the front opening on my mopar cover open and forget about it. I only close the front flap when it gets really cold, like 10 degrees or something.

I also plug in when night temps are into the 20s and 30s. I use a timer and have it run a couple of hours before I leave for work.



I think the winter blend will pour in pretty much any temp. From a service station it is coming out of the ground where the temp is pretty constant. Your fuel heater takes care of the rest. Throw a jug of conditioner in every once in a while and you should be good to go.



Hope this answers your questions.



Steve

 

[Bertram65]

Last year I did not plug in once or use any type of winter cover, we had many days around 0 and below, truck started right up, went right to high idle, I'd wait about 30 seconds and then head out. These new engines do not seem to be as effected by cold as the older diesels.

 

[DBond]

I am in Iowa now, though I am somewhat of a nomad, so it's hard to say where I will be. The option to plug in the heater varies. Traveling to Montana and Arizona is common any time of year. So part of my concern the cloud / pour temp is getting fuel in southern AZ then heading to MT. Sure normal people would be doing the opposite, but I'm not normal.

 

[BHolm]

I have never used a winter front on a Dodge. I have always run them in cold places, either northern Minnesota or the mountains of Colorado. I wouldn't spend the money on one, you don't need it. I didn't plug my truck in a single time here in CO last winter. The work trucks in MN get plugged in when it hits the teens at night and mostly just to cut down on warm up time, I know they would start fine.



If you are travelling around there is no good way to tell what you are getting for fuel. Most store clerks will have no idea what they are selling you. The chances of getting #2 and ending up somewhere cold enough to cause a problem are slim. It would have to get below zero and still I suspect the Cummins would run fine. Carry an anti-gel with you and dump it in if you think you have straight #2 and will be somewhere cold for the night.



For what its worth, I have seen these trucks start and run in some pretty extreme conditions. I have never had a problem and I have owned four of them. My '99 Ford 7. 3 isn't the same, it doesn't start nearly as well and has been pushed inside to warm up many times over the years.

 

[MDietrich]

Your best bet would be to carry some winter additive with you. I use Stanadyne Performance Formula year round. It lowers the pour point up to 40 degrees.

Most of the pumps in my area don't say whether the fuel is blended (or I've never noticed). If i'm really worried about gelling, I'll put some #1 in when I'm at a half tank.

By just using the Stanadyne, I've never had any problems. It's started and stayed running some mornings at work around 0 to 5 below, not plugged in. I do switch to 5W40 in October every year. I think that helps also.



MD

 

[DBond]

Thanks for all the good advice.



I wish the fuel locations posted what they were selling...

 

[BHolm]

Thanks for all the good advice.



I wish the fuel locations posted what they were selling...

I would think that if you bought fuel at truck stops you would know what you were buying. Thier pumps are almost always labled #1,#2, or Arctic which is supposed to give the power of #2 with the flow of #1.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Thanks for all the good advice.



I wish the fuel locations posted what they were selling...

Most stations I see in Spudland and Montana have a notice on the pump for Winter Blend. I been expecting it, but haven't seen it yet. The MPG will drop, but I haven't had a problem with gel. If I filled in a warm climate and came north I would do some additive in very cold conditions. Good luck, Doc

 

[jwduke]

Winter blend starts showing up around here when the temp starts staying under +10* constantly. Usually the winter blend around here is 50-50 (50% #2-50% #1). Now I have seen Winterized fuel, which is supposed to have a additive in #2 so you can run it to -??.



Hope this is of some help.

 

[TowPro]

The refinerys put additives (or number 1) in the fuel, this way it don't get stuck in there tanks or in the delevery trucks. Here in PA I think its already here, I lost 1. 5mpg on the last tank. The trick is to buy fuel at a place that has high turnover. Stop at some place with real low voluum sales and you might get diesel that was shipped in September. Here in SE PA the only time I have seen a problem in the last 10 years is when we had a local refinery shutdown in January during a cold snap and they started trucking fuel up from the south that was not treated for cold. When its below the 20's I use Power systems white bottle anyway, so I never worry about it. Just follow the directions on the bottle, mixing more then required is just a waist of money.